Ladakh

Himalayas, India | 15 - 23 June 2019

Unearth the rare treasures of Ladakh in the young Himalayas.

Journey with us to Ladakh in Northern India, along the Indus River where icy water flows from the young Himalayan glaciers and stretch your gaze from picture postcard like scenes of the changing colours of the mountains to mud houses, monasteries and sweet apricot trees. At 3,500 meters above sea level, Ladakh is for the curious seeker with an adventurous streak.

Several months of research, meeting local artisans, exploring micro cultures and a hundreds of namkeen chais later, the Soulscape team has crafted it’s Ladakh expedition. Learn from 10th generation Thangka painting artisans who labour for 3 months or more to create a single masterpiece. Drink chai with wood carvers hidden away in maze of workshops, and learn how they create the intricate designs that adorn temples.

Ladakh will transport you to ideologies rooted in creative expressions, thriving in what may seem to be extreme ecosystems and a humble existence rooted in Buddhism.

Ladakh at a glance

Set on trade routes to the East and South Asia, Ladakh’s heritage is as diverse as the mix of pebbles that line the bed of the Indus River, a once fertile floodplain that sustained the thriving ancient Indus Valley civilisation.

This ‘land of high passes’ was once Tibetan, once Dogra, once Mongolian and now part of Jammu & Kashmir state (India). Buddhism along with art and crafts blossomed here and artists were honoured by Kings and given the surname ‘Spon’ (artist).

Resilient by nature, Ladakhis share their friendliness with traditional ‘namkeen chai’ (savoury butter tea), freshly picked apricots and if you are in time – homemade beer ‘Chang’. Typically, Ladakhi homes (once made out of mud) come with underground chambers aka ’natural freezers’ to store grain and vegetables for the winter months – locals here take a zero waste approach to food and you will often find families apricots in their homes which you’ll quickly notice are abundant in the Summer.

A popular Bollywood film showcased some of Ladakh’s highlights to much of the Indian sub-continent, which has inspired travellers from all over the Asian continent and beyond to take the journey to the city of Leh. Tourism here is still less in comparison to other Himalayan destinations and is often consolidated to Leh and popular landmarks such as Pangong Lake, Nubra valley.

With travellers come new influences, young Ladakhis are increasingly leaving behind their ancestral homes and traditions to adopt new ways of living. This has resulted in fewer and fewer people up keeping traditional arts and crafts.

This decade will see a rapid change in the way of life of the Ladakhi people and is probably the last opportunity for the world to experience the dying traditions and arts of Ladakh. Travelling further away from Leh you will discover more remote, quaint and unspoilt villages preserved in a valley of the Himalayas, too small to be of interest to invaders, looters or mainstream tourism. This is where the magic is still intact.

Our magic potion

Complete enrichment where Soulscape serves as an incubator for you to enhance your mental, emotional, spiritual, social, environmental and physical well being.

Wake up to the Himalayas

Learn the art of Thangka painting

Healthy, organic, vegetarian meals(and cookery lessons too)

Explore the ways of the Ladakhi people

Yoga from local yogis

Digging out local treasures for you

Learn archery the Ladakhi way

Step into a 1000 year old monastery

Meditate by the Indus River - Once home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation

Included in your experience

Hassle-free as we plan every little detail from your arrival to your departure

Complimentary 1 night stay at a 5* hotel in Delhi with spa facilities – incase of a lay over. Click here for information on flight booking

Transaction-free leaving you no ‘extras’ during your Soulscape experience as we pay mutually agreed and fair renumeration to all our collaborators, and advise against tipping

Dedicated one to one support before, during and after your Soulscape experience

7 nights stay in historic accommodations in a private double room

All ground transport during your experience, including airport transfers

Accommodation

Available dates

Ready to join us?

Useful info

Which airport do I fly into?

Leh airport is closest to Ule. It also happens to be a defence airport so look out for a glimpse of the fighter jets zooming in the sky!

Option 1: Book 2 flights

Fly to Delhi and enjoy a complimentary night stay at a 5* hotel with spa facilities then fly to Leh the next morning (flights take off and land before 12 noon in Leh due to its height). From then on you’ll be in our hands :)

Option 2: Book 1 flight

Fly to Leh via Delhi

We’ve found that the following price comparison websites offer the best deals:

1. A clear and coloured scanned copy of the Page of Passport which holds the personal details.

Format – PDF

Size – Maximum 2 MB

A digital photograph taken by a digital camera or phone camera with the head in the centre of the picture and a light coloured background.

Format – JPEG

Size – Maximum 2 MB

Additional info to complete your e-Visa will be emailed to you.

Important note: some areas in India have been declared as Restricted Areas. Good news is that you won’t be passing or visiting any of the protected areas during the Soulscape experience.

However, if you are planning on staying longer and visiting any of the restricted areas then you must get a PROTECTED AREA PERMIT.

What should I pack?

Clothing: As different parts of India have varying outlooks to clothing from super liberal to conservative we suggest you bring along comfortable and light cotton clothing (tops, trousers, capris, long and standard shorts)

You’ll need some clothes you don’t mind getting mucky in

A jacket for cooler evenings

Books, games

Trainers / sneakers / comfy shoes you can walk around and do exercise in

Hat/Cap

Hand sanitiser

Will there be Wifi?

It’s time to switch off folks.

We aren’t going to allow the use of mobile devices or laptops. Please turn them off once you’re with us. In case of emergency, you will be able to contact a Soulscape team member who will give you access to the very patchy internet in the area.

How big are the groups?

Our experiences are limited to no more than 8-10 people.

Interaction wise, feel free to do your own thing, knowing that there’ll be a bunch of us around most of the time (and Indians love chatting and mingling – so no time is a bad time).

What will the weather be like?

In July, days are warm at 25 degrees celsius and evenings are cooler at 12 degrees celsius.

What's the altitude of Leh?

Ule is at an altitude of 3,500 metres. The first day will allow you time to rest and get used to the height and low oxygen.

Where do I get Indian Rupees?

Soulscape experiences are transaction free. The only things that aren’t included during the 7 days you’ll be with us are any personal expenses like shopping.

If you want to keep some cash on you then do note that the Indian Rupee is a restricted currency – only available in India. We recommend that you bring some cash with you and get it exchanged while in transit in Delhi or after reaching Leh.

Do I need to get vaccinated?

Some people get vaccinated and some don’t. If you’re unsure, go visit your local GP or travel clinic.

What about jetlag?

India is 5 hours ahead of the UK. For example, when you are flying to Leh from Europe you lose time, and gain time when flying back.